Grand Haven Coast Guard Festival 2023 | Event Schedule | Map of Event Locations | Parade Route Map | Mainstage Tickets + Fireworks and Carnival! See the CGC Hollyhock, Spar, Neah Bay, Biscayne Bay and CCGS Risley | + Fun Things To Do Nearby!
2023 Coast Guard Festival | By Sherry Trautman | Travel-Mi.com | Last updated: March 6, 2023
Join us in Grand Haven Michigan to honor the incredible men and women of the United States Coast Guard!
- Enjoy the colorful Kids and Grand Parade (my favorite!), games and rides at the carnival, breathtaking fireworks, lively mainstage concerts, 5k, engaging ship tours, craft show and so much fun!
When is the Grand Haven Coast Guard Festival in Michigan?
July 28 – August 6, 2023
How long is Grand Haven Coast Guard Festival? The festival runs for 10 days!
Where is the Coast Guard Festival? The festival is located in Grand Haven, Michigan - right along Lake Michigan!
Why is Grand Haven Coast Guard City? For several years the Coast Guard has been serving in the Grand Haven area. This festival celebrates the men and women of the United States Coast Guard serving in the West Michigan area.
How many people go to the Coast Guard Festival? Approximately 350,000 people attend this popular Michigan festival each year!
Grand Haven Coast Guard Festival History
The Coast Guard Festival began in 1924 as a Coast Guard personnel only picnic. During the early Coast Guard festival days, service members stationed in Grand Haven enjoyed competitive rowing competitions. Now, this incredible festival is attended by thousands including the nation's highest ranking Coast Guard dignitaries from Washington, D.C.
{Pretty cool, huh?}
The Grand Haven Coast Guard Festival focuses on the National Coast Guard Memorial Service honoring those who sacrificed their lives in service. So let's celebrate our heroes, the men and women of the United States Coast Guard!
Grand Haven is designated as the “Coast Guard City, USA” by an Act of Congress and signed by the President of the United States on November 13, 1998.
Coast Guard Gifts-Cool Stuff
Grand Haven Coast Guard Festival Map
Check out the locations of the festival events on the interactive map below!
Grab our interactive Google Coast Guard Festival Map.
2023 Grand Haven Coast Guard Festival Schedule of Events
There's so many Grand Haven Coast Guard Festival events to enjoy this year! This events page will be continuously updated as new events are announced.
Friday, July 28, 2023 Grand Haven Coast Guard Festival Events
Lighthouse Quilt Guild Quilt Show - 10 am-5 pm. This lovely quilt show is themed, “Of Sky and Sea” and you can see 100 quilts created by members, demonstrations, and hear stories about their antique quilts.
Location: St. Patrick’s Church, 901 Columbus Ave, Grand Haven, Michigan
Cost: $7.00
Sherry Touring a Coast Guard Ship at the Grand Haven Coast Guard FestivalSaturday, July 29, 2023 Grand Haven Coast Guard Festival Events
Kids Parade - 10:30 am
Parade Route: (SEE MAP ABOVE) Parade route: start at 5th St. & Franklin, West on Franklin to 1st St., North on 1st to Washington, East on Washington to 5th St.
“Global Guardians….. Hometown Heroes” is the theme of the 2023 Grand Haven Coast Guard Festival kids parade.
Location: See our Grand Haven Coast Guard Festival Map
Lighthouse Quilt Guild Quilt Show - 9 am-4 pm. This lovely quilt show is themed, “Of Sky and Sea” and you can see 100 quilts created by members, demonstrations, and hear stories about their antique quilts.
Location: St. Patrick’s Church, 901 Columbus Ave.
Cost: $7.00
Views of the USCGC Hollyhock (214) at the Grand Haven Coast Guard Festival
Sunday, July 30, 2023 Grand Haven Coast Guard Festival Events
Cruise-In Car Show - 7:30 am – 2:30 pm
Come on out from 1-4 pm at the Coast Guard Festival Community Picnic. Register early if you wish to have your vehicle in the show! Trophies and awards!
Free!
Location: Coast Guard Park, Ferrysburg, Michigan
Flea On Seventh - 10:00 am-4:00 pm
Shop dozens of vendors! 7th street between Washington and Columbus.
Location: 7th street between Washington and Columbus (SEE MAP)
Community Picnic - 1 pm-4 pm FREE
Enjoy food, games and music to celebrate the annual picnic that was the start of the Coast Guard Festival 98 years ago! Hosted by the City of Ferrysburg.
Location: Coast Guard Park, Ferrysburg
Monday, July 31, 2023 Grand Haven Coast Guard Festival Events
Coast Guard Festival Parade of Ships - 1 pm - 3:00 pm. FREE
The Coast Guard Festival parade of ships is such an anticipated event to kick off the festival! Wave to the gorgeous CGC Hollyhock, CGC Spar, CGC Neah Bay, and CGC Biscayne Bay as they sail into the port of Grand Haven.
Location: Port of Grand Haven
Ship Tours - 6 pm – 8 pm - FREE. CGC Hollyhock, CGC Spar, CGC Neah Bay, CGC Biscayne Bay
Location: Escanaba Park
Tuesday, August 1, 2023 Grand Haven Coast Guard Festival Events
Grand Haven Coast Guard Festival Carnival 2023 - 6 pm-11 pm
Carnival rides, family friendly games, food concessions, and guest amenities like an on-site ATM and help desk. This is the place for family fun at the Grand Haven Coast Guard Festival!
Location: Harbor Front and Covenant Life parking lot (SEE MAP!)
Cost: $25 Armband
Kids Day - 10 am-2 pm. FREE
Games, displays, storytelling, face painting, bounce houses and learn building basics, arts and crafts, and the Prince and Princess contest at Kids Day during the Grand Haven Coast Guard Festival! Get your photo taken on the Red Carpet and then look for it on our Facebook Page.
Visit the Meijer Food Truck and PNC Bank Mobile Learning Adventure Area.
Location: Mulligan’s Hollow
Street Dance With Brena - 8:30 pm-10:30 pm FREE
Enjoy The Grand Rapids cover band, Brena! Dance and sing along to hits from the 80s, 90s, and NOW. From “Shout” to Motown, rock, and country, the show has something for everyone!
Location: Washington Street between 3rd and 4th (SEE MAP!)
Ship Tours - 10 am-12 pm, 1 pm-3 pm and 6 pm – 8 pm. FREE CGC Hollyhock, CGC Spar, CGC Neah Bay, CGC Biscayne Bay
Location: Escanaba Park
Coastie Golf Tournament
This Golf Outing is for Retired and Current Coast Guard Personnel Only
Event Details: 18 Hole 4-person scramble, shotgun start 9:00 am, 18 holes of golf concluding with a luncheon and awards ceremony in the Founder’s Room.
– Registration at 8:00 am
– Shotgun start at 9:00 am.
Fee: Register early!
Location: American Dunes Golf Club – 17000 Lincoln St, Grand Haven, MI 49417
Wednesday, August 2, 2023 Grand Haven Coast Guard Festival Events
Waterball Competition - 6:00 pm FREE
Come on out to watch a friendly competition with members of the Public Safety Departments, Local Fire Departments, and US Coast Guard Personnel. Somebody's gonna get wet!
Location: Washington Street between 3rd and 4th Street. (SEE MAP!)
Grand Haven Coast Guard Festival Carnival 2023 - 2 pm-11 pm
Carnival rides, family friendly games, food concessions, and guest amenities like an on-site ATM and help desk. This is the place for family fun at the Grand Haven Coast Guard Festival!
Location: Harbor Front and Covenant Life parking lot (SEE MAP!)
Cost: $25 Armband
Seniors Day - 8 am - 2 pm Mulligan's Hollow events. FREE!
- 8:00 am: Pickleball Tournament players 50 years and older, Mulligan’s Hollow Courts. Register!
- 10:00 am: Get Well Expo
- 10:00 am: Zumba, Cardio drumming and Line Dancing Instruction and Fun!
- 11:00 am: Entertainment
- Noon: Boxed lunch
- 12:45-2 pm: Bingo with prizes
- 12:45-2 pm: Musical Entertainment by Silverado
Red Carpet Photos - 5:30 pm-8:30 pm FREE
The kids will love getting a free Coast Guard Festival photo taken on the Red Carpet! Find yourself on the Festival Facebook page.
Location: TBD
Softball Tournament - 8:30AM
Come on out to watch this competitive softball tournament between Coast Guard personnel only. Cheer like crazy! Be sure to register.
Location: YMCA Softball Field
Ship Tours - 10 am-12 pm, 1 pm-3 pm and 6 pm – 8 pm. FREE CGC Hollyhock, CGC Spar, CGC Neah Bay, CGC Biscayne Bay and CCGS Risley
Location: Escanaba Park
The Retirees Dinner (Private Event) 5 pm
Reunion bbq for those retired from the United States Coast Guard. Reservations required.
Location: The Eagles - Columbus and 2nd St.
Thursday, August 3, 2022 Grand Haven Coast Guard Festival Events
Better Bags Corn Hole Tournament Fundraiser - Register before Aug 2!!
Players meet at 5:15 pm with play beginning at 5:30 until about 9:00 pm.
Location: Lucy’s Deli Parking Lot
Cost: $50 for a team of two.
Grand Haven Coast Guard Festival Carnival 2023 - 2 pm-11 pm
Carnival rides, family friendly games, food concessions, and guest amenities like an on-site ATM and help desk. This is the place for family fun at the Grand Haven Coast Guard Festival!
Location: Harbor Front and Covenant Life parking lot (SEE MAP!)
Cost: $30 Armband
Ship Tours - 10 am-12 pm, 1 pm-3 pm and 6 pm – 8 pm. - FREE. CGC Hollyhock, CGC Spar, CGC Neah Bay, CGC Biscayne Bay and CCGS Risley.
Location: Escanaba Park
Community Dinner (Hero & Legends Dinner) 5 pm (Private, invite only)
Friday, August 4, 2022 Grand Haven Coast Guard Festival Events
Grand Haven Coast Guard Festival Carnival 2023 - 2 pm-11 pm
Carnival rides, family friendly games, food concessions, and guest amenities like an on-site ATM and help desk. This is the place for family fun at the Grand Haven Coast Guard Festival!
Location: Harbor Front and Covenant Life parking lot (SEE MAP!)
Cost: $30 Armband
National Memorial Service PRIVATE 4:00 pm - 5:00 pm
A moving tribute to those Coast Guard personnel who have died in the line of duty during the past year.
Location: Escanaba Park
Welcome Reception, 2:30 pm PRIVATE
Walk of Coast Guard History 12 pm (noon) FREE
Dedicatiopn of the newest point of Coast Guard History.
Location: Grand Haven City Hall, 519 Washington Avenue Grand Haven, MI
Guard Spouses Breakfast - 8:30am PRIVATE
Coast Guard Craft Fair - 9 am-6 pm FREE. Shop handmade arts and crafts!
Location: Central Park
Ship Tours - 10 am-12 pm, 1 pm-3 pm - FREE. CGC Hollyhock, CGC Spar, CGC Neah Bay, CGC Biscayne Bay and CCGS Risley.
Location: Escanaba Park
Saturday, August 5, 2022 Grand Haven Coast Guard Festival Events
Coast Guard Craft Fair - 9:00 am-5:00 pm FREE
Shop handmade arts and crafts!
Location: Central Park
Ship Tours -10 am-12 pm, 1 pm-3 pm and 6 pm – 8 pm. - FREE. CGC Hollyhock, CGC Spar, CGC Neah Bay, CGC Biscayne Bay and CCGS Risley.
Location: Escanaba Park
Grand Parade -11:45 am FREE
See more than 100 entries salute the men & women of the United States Coast Guard in this annual event.
Location: See our Grand Haven Coast Guard Festival Map. The Grand Parade begins on Sheldon St at Colfax.
Grand Haven Coast Guard Festival Carnival 2023 - 12 pm-11 pm
Carnival rides, family friendly games, food concessions, and guest amenities like an on-site ATM and help desk. This is the place for family fun at the Grand Haven Coast Guard Festival!
Location: Harbor Front and Covenant Life parking lot (SEE MAP!)
Cost: Valid from 12 pm-4 pm: $20 armband; tickets only after 4 pm.
Grand Haven Coast Guard Festival Schedule, Events and Things to SeeWhere to Park for Coast Guard Festival
Not gonna lie, parking is tricky if you get to the Coast Guard Festival later in the day or on the weekends. We enjoy parking at Chinook Pier and then walking to see the ships, carnival and other events. Parking is free at Chinook Pier but fills up very quickly. See our Map below for parking locations.
Harbor Transit’s parking locations for the Coast Guard Saturday Park-and-Ride is TBD.
Top Things To Do in Grand Haven Michigan!
Things To Do in Grand Haven Michigan: Grab the Guide!After enjoying the Grand Haven Coast Guard Festival, be sure to stay in the area to enjoy the beach, state park, shops and more!
Grab our Grand Haven guide for lots of fun ideas of things to do!
Visit nearby Saugatuck Michigan! There are so many things to do like the chain ferry!
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